After coming out of Hestia's room, Seele and Bronya were still in a room, doing who knows what. Do little girls really have so much to talk about?
Takatsuki didn't understand, nor did he care. Since no one else was back, Takatsuki returned to his room to rest.
However, not long after, there was a knock on Takatsuki's door.
Opening the door, it was Bronya standing outside.
"Is something wrong?"
Bronya: "Can Bronya come in to talk?"
Takatsuki glanced around. No one else had returned, and Seele was nowhere to be seen.
"Seele went to tidy her room. There's no one else here."
As if knowing Takatsuki's thoughts, Bronya spoke.
"Alright."
Although Takatsuki didn't know why Bronya sent Seele away, he knew she probably had something she wanted to tell him.
After entering the room, Bronya closed the door and looked at Takatsuki.
"Takatsuki, do you think I should accept the Herrscher of Reason's Core?"
Bronya's words made Takatsuki realize that Seele must have told Bronya about it, as Takatsuki himself hadn't intended to hide it.
"So you came for this question, huh? Have a seat."
Takatsuki casually sat on the bed in the bedroom, looking at Bronya who was sitting on a chair opposite him.
"This matter, it mainly depends on what you think."
"The Herrscher of Reason's ability, I can only say, is very suitable for you. And more importantly, Welt Yang is willing to let you become Anti-Entropy's leader. You should understand the significance of this, right?"
Although he said this, Takatsuki knew that no one could shake Yang's position. Even if Bronya were said to succeed him, Yang would ultimately be the one in charge. However, Yang was at least fighting against Honkai, and he knew a part of the future, so Takatsuki thought he wouldn't do anything foolish.
"You mean, you want me to accept it?"
Takatsuki shook his head: "I'm just simply helping you analyze the benefits. If you don't want to, that's fine. In terms of power, do you think with so many worlds, there would be a lack of ways to become stronger? In terms of influence, although Anti-Entropy is an old organization with a lot of funds and connections, it only makes things easier for you. In this world, as long as an individual's power is strong enough, even if you have no influence, you can still beat down various forces."
"When you are stronger than Honkai, let alone the Herrscher of the End, you can even pull out the Will of Honkai and beat it up."
His words were crude but made sense, but Bronya still looked speechless: "Bronya understands, but what are the Herrscher of the End and the Will of Honkai?"
"Huh? Haven't I explained this?"
Bronya shook her head.
"Did I really not tell you?"
Takatsuki remembered that he should have mentioned this, but perhaps not to Bronya. He was too lazy to search his memory for such a small matter and directly explained it again.
"Herrschers are the envoys of Honkai. There are fourteen Herrschers in total, the last one being the Herrscher of the End, who has the power to beat down the previous thirteen."
Takatsuki didn't know why everyone kept saying there were only thirteen Herrschers, but he recalled that no one included the Herrscher of the End among the Herrschers, though Takatsuki felt it should be counted.
"The Will of Honkai is the superficial will of Honkai, capable of manipulating Honkai to a certain extent. If you can pull out the Will of Honkai and beat it up, then you can also deal with Honkai."
Bronya nodded, though it was unclear if she fully understood Takatsuki's extremely simplified explanation.
"Speaking of which, Bronya hasn't thanked you yet."
"Thanked me?"
Bronya nodded.
"Originally, Bronya only wanted to use you to rescue Seele."
Bronya lowered her eyelids, seemingly feeling guilty for her initial purpose: "But I didn't expect that you, Takatsuki, would bring Seele back all by yourself. Bronya owes you a favor."
"Bronya really likes her current life, with Mei-nee, you, the Class Monitor, the Headmaster, Himeko-sensei, and the idiotic Kiana and Seele. Bronya wants to keep it this way forever. Seele now has the power to help everyone, so Bronya doesn't want to hold anyone back. Therefore, Bronya will become the Herrscher of Reason. That way, she can protect her current life, right?"
"Uh, actually, you don't have to…"
Just as Takatsuki was about to correct Bronya's words, Bronya suddenly stood up, covered his mouth, and leaned close to him, stopping him from speaking his intended words.
"Bronya doesn't want to be like that. Bronya wants to protect her own life with her own strength. Seeing Seele return to the Original World is already enough for Bronya. Thank you, Takatsuki…"
Suddenly, Takatsuki's eyes widened.
Bronya, taking advantage of Takatsuki's unguarded state, suddenly pulled away the hand covering his mouth and kissed him.
Although the soft touch on his lips was fleeting, it was truly…
"Don't misunderstand, this is just Bronya's thank you gift. Seele is mine! Also, when I'm not around, take good care of Seele…"
With that, Bronya quickly left.
That despicable Bronya, actually tricking and ambushing an old comrade like him.
Fortunately, it wasn't his first kiss, otherwise, he would have lost big time.
If you ask where his first kiss went?
Takatsuki could only say it was a wonderful night…
That very day, Bronya left.
Instead of waiting for Yang to come to her, Bronya went directly to find Yang.
Because of Bronya's departure, there was a small commotion in the villa, but fortunately, Takatsuki managed to calm everyone down.
A week later, Takatsuki received a message from Yang on his phone.
"It's ready. When are you coming?"
Takatsuki: "In ten minutes."
Welt: "That fast?"
Takatsuki: "Yes, in ten minutes, I'll bring people directly to your location."
Welt: "Okay."
After a brief exchange of messages, Takatsuki immediately went out to find Mei.
The former big three became a quartet after Ais arrived, and remained a quartet even after Seele arrived.
Takatsuki used [Close at Hand Yet Worlds Apart] to directly reach the school. There were many beacons left by Takatsuki throughout St. Freya Academy.
At this moment, Himeko was teaching the students. It seemed that due to Yang's sudden departure, they hadn't found a history teacher yet, and there hadn't been any missions recently, allowing Himeko to make a guest appearance.
Knocking on the classroom door, Takatsuki said amidst the somewhat confused gazes of Himeko and the other students: "I'm looking for Raiden Mei."